About The Surgeon

Doctor Nelson’s surgical training began as an undergraduate studying Human Anatomy at the University of Utah. Late nights and summer vacations were spent in the Anatomy Laboratory meticulously dissecting cadaver specimens. He served for two years as a Teaching Assistant in Human Anatomy at the undergraduate level, and then two years at the School of Medicine teaching anatomy to medical students while still an undergraduate himself.

He then attended the University of Utah School of Medicine where his surgical interests focused on Orthopaedic Surgery. His interest led to a research fellowship at the Bone and Joint Laboratories researching bone morphology and response to mechanical stimuli.

He completed his Surgical Internship and Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, a residency renowned for its rigor and track record for producing leaders in the field of Spinal Surgery.

Doctor Nelson then completed subspecialty fellowship training in Spinal Surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, NY. This is a high volume spine fellowship where the large New York City population and multiple world-class surgeon mentors combine to produce an extraordinary opportunity to study the spine and its treatment.

He then traveled to Germany as a visiting fellow in Spinal Surgery at the Klinikum Karlsbad Langensteinbach. This clinic in Germany’s Black Forest is the birthplace of many modern spinal techniques and a truly international referral center for complex spinal pathology.

Dr. Nelson then moved to San Diego, CA where he joined Oasis Sports Medical Group, the area’s premier Sports Orthopaedic Group with a long history of treating professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes. Dr. Nelson has merged the lessons of sports medicine with the best in modern spinal treatment and is committed to getting you back in your game!